88 Grilled Fish Sokcho Review 2026: Local Seafood

Sokcho 88 Grilled Fish: A Local's Favorite

Honest Review & Parking Guide

With summer 2026 vacations fast approaching, many of you are probably planning a coastal getaway to Sokcho in Gangwon-do.

My family and I recently took an early summer trip there. We wanted to skip the usual tourist staples like makguksu (buckwheat noodles), squid sundae, and raw fish bowls. After doing some digging for authentic local eats, we discovered 88 Grilled Fish (88 Saengseon-gui).

Unlike standard seafood joints,

they grill the fish right at your table over hot charcoal, ensuring perfectly crispy skin and huge portions.

Since it's a traditional Korean meal, I knew my parents would absolutely love it!

It turns out this spot is incredibly famous. I heard that weekend waiting times and parking can be a bit of a nightmare. Here is the full rundown of our holiday weekend visit!

Parking & Wait Times

⏰Hours of Operation

Daily 08:30 AM - 08:15 PM

Break Time: 03:00 PM - 04:30 PM

Last Order: Lunch 02:30 PM / Dinner 07:30 PM

We arrived right at the peak dinner rush, and the main dining room was already packed to the brim.

Because of their massive popularity, they've actually opened a second branch right next door. However, since the restaurant sits right on the harbor front,

there is only enough space for about 4 cars directly in front of the building.

If those spots are taken, you'll need to use one of three nearby paid parking lots:

Jogwang, Geumho, or Hanhong.

The restaurant validates parking for 1 hour,

after which it costs ~$1 per 30 minutes.

We got incredibly lucky—just as we pulled up, a car was leaving the waterfront spots, so we parked right out front and walked straight in!

Even though it was a holiday evening in June 2026 and almost every table was full,

the turnover was surprisingly fast, so we didn't have to wait to be seated.

However, if you're visiting during the absolute peak summer season, I'd suggest planning for a 20 to 30-minute wait.

Menu & Pricing

The Assorted Grilled Fish Set is priced at ~$15 per person.

It features a massive spread including saury, mackerel, Spanish mackerel, Patagonian toothfish (mero),

squid, herring, flounder, and yellow rockfish!

That's 8 different types of seafood in one sitting.

One downside to note: single-person orders are not allowed.

If you're a solo traveler, unfortunately, you won't be able to dine here, which is a bit of a bummer.

They also offer a great selection of beer, soju, and soft drinks to wash it all down.

The Dining Experience: Our Honest Review

As soon as we ordered, the staff brought over a roaring charcoal grill.

The best part? The staff cooks everything for you! You don't have to sweat over the hot coals trying to flip fish.

It honestly felt like a seafood omakase.

They grilled, deboned, and cut the fish, placing the perfect bites right onto our personal plates.

It made the entire meal so relaxing and enjoyable.

​

Most importantly, my parents—who can be pretty picky eaters—gave it their ultimate stamp of approval!

If you're hunting for a genuinely great restaurant in Sokcho,

I can confidently tell you to add this place to your itinerary.

The traditional side dishes (banchan) were neat, flavorful, and paired perfectly with the savory fish.

Whenever we ran low, we just headed to the self-serve station to refill our plates.

The real secret weapon here is the dipping sauce.

Mixing crushed garlic, soy sauce, and a dab of wasabi creates a dip that cuts right through the richness of the fish.

It kept every bite tasting fresh, and we couldn't stop eating!

Because everything is cooked over live charcoal,

the fish meat stays incredibly tender and juicy while the skin gets beautifully blistered and crispy.

Since the flavors aren't overly spicy or heavy,

it's a fantastic, family-friendly option that kids will easily enjoy as well.

To recap our June 2026 weekend visit: the restaurant was packed, but the line moved fast.

Parking requires a bit of luck to get a waterfront spot,

otherwise, you'll need to utilize the validated paid lots nearby.

If you're planning a trip to the East Coast this summer,

my family and I give this local Sokcho gem a solid 5 out of 5 stars.

Make sure to visit 88 Grilled Fish!

(We are already planning to go back!)